Queen Elizabeth II and her family might grab the lion's share of headlines compared to other dynasties, but that doesn't mean that they're among the richest of royalty. In fact, the Queen's reported net worth of more than $500 million pales in comparison to the world's wealthiest royal families, who have at least double that figure in their bank accounts.
Here we've compiled a list of the wealthiest royal families based on various business reports (keeping in mind these rankings fluctuate based on a whole host of conditions depending on the markets), and it might shock you to learn that the British royals didn't even crack the top ten—where the point of entry is $1 billion. So read on, and for more royal gossip, check out The 10 Surprising Rules William and Kate Must Follow that Other Royals Don't.
10 | Prince Albert of Monaco
Prince Albert of Monaco's net worth of $1 billion is made up of a diverse portfolio. He owns a quarter of the land in his principality, an impressive antique car collection, interest in a Monte Carlo resort, and the suburban Philadelphia home of his mother, Grace Kelly, which he snapped up in 2016 for less than $800,000. Oh, and he has a pricey stamp collection, too. Really. And for more content from the halls of royalty, don't miss the 30 Fascinating Facts about British Royal Weddings.
9 | Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
At 35, the emir is the youngest royal on our list. A graduate of Sandhurst (the same military academy that Princes William and Harry attended), he assumed the throne of Qatar after his father, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, stepped down in 2013. His estimated net worth of $1.2 billion comes courtesy of Qatar Investment Authority, which manages the country's oil and gas reserves. Dear old dad was worth a reported $2.4 billion.
8 | The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg
Despite being worth a reported $4 billion, the Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg has gotten $324,851 every year since 1948 to defray the cost of official functions. They wouldn't want to break into the family nest egg for official business, now, would they? And for more on royal families, check out the The 10 Most Eligible Royals Right Now.
7 | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
With a net worth of $4.5 billion, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Emir Sheikh of Dubai. He has donated over $1 billion to humanitarian and education causes in both the Middle East and worldwide.
6 | Prince Hans-Adam II Liechtenstein
Prince Hans-Adam II Liechtenstein is the single-richest monarch in Europe based on his personal wealth. The House of Liechtenstein's $5 billion comes mainly from its privately owned bank, LGT Group, and investments made through the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation, which invests in natural resources, real estate, and wineries. Cheers!
5 | King Mohammed VI
Thanks to his family's ownership of Morocco's National Investment Company, a private holding company that invests in other African countries, King Mohammed VI's net worth is a tidy $5.7 billion. Interestingly, the King also has made a rather unique push to lead Morocco towards democracy by ordering regular elections in the country.
4 | Emir Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
According to Forbes, Emir Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's $15 billion fortune comes courtesy of the UAE's excess oil reserves. He's President of the UAE, the Emir of Abu Dhabi, and the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. He is known for his charitable support of medical facilities and relief organizations.
3 | King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is also a very successful media mogul. According to Time, his $18 billion comes from a family-owned media group that includes the pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat and Al Eqtisadiah. Al Saud has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charities worldwide, but has also reportedly donated to several organizations that are being closely monitored because of their suspected of funding for Al Qaeda.
2 | Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
The Sultan of Brunei lives like a king in the world's largest palace (which cost a reported a $350 million) and drives like a king in more than 600 Rolls-Royces. Where did his $20 billion come from? The oil and gas industries.
1 | King Maha Vajiralongkorn
The world's richest royal family is helmed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, whose family wealth is a staggering $30 billion, according to Forbes. The family got inconceivably rich from investments through the Crown Property Bureau, which manages the property of the crown of the Kingdom of Thailand. The king also owns the 545-carat Golden Jubilee Diamond, which, as you might have guessed, is the world's largest cut and faceted diamond. And if you think Meghan Markle hit the jackpot, consider this: The king is the first and only royal ruler to be born in the United States (Massachusetts). And for more fascinating regal trivia, check out these 15 Celebrities Who Married Royalty.
Diane Clehane is a New York-based journalist and author of Imagining Diana and Diana: The Secrets of Her Style.
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